Traveling in the Mongolian Taiga offers a profound immersion into the captivating region of reindeer herders and nomadic families. Among the vast, pristine wilderness, one encounters a lifestyle deeply rooted in ancient traditions and close harmony with nature. You’ll be wandering through the wilds of the Taiga on reindeer and horseback, dwelling with the mystical Tsaatan folks to get a taste of their primal way of life, bunking down in a teepee, rising with the misty dawn enveloping the picturesque scenery of Northern Mongolia.
The combination of towering Altai Mountain peaks and delving into eagle hunting culture promises an unforgettable adventure. Later on, you’ll journey to the stunning western part of Mongolia, home to the majestic Mongol Altai mountains and serene twin lakes. You’ll lodge with a local eagle-hunting family, creating lasting memories with them and delving into the rich culture of Kazakh nomadic peoples.
The adventure begins with an early domestic flight to Murun, arriving in the morning. Upon arrival, the team consisting of a tour guide, driver, and cook will greet you, and then you’ll embark on a journey northward to explore the Reindeer herders in the Taiga. Along the way, you’ll traverse stunning mountainous terrain and serene valleys, passing through the local town of “Ulaan Uul”. As you drive through a pass near the town, you’ll encounter the picturesque 13 shamanic “Ovoo,” symbolizing the entrance to the land of shamans. Furthermore, will visit local nomadic family in Darkhad village and get involved in their cultures. For the next few days, you’ll be accommodated in comfortable, high-quality expedition tents, and our skilled cook will prepare delicious meals for you.(B/L/D)
Note: There are no guesthouses or tourist camps in the north and we’ll set up our private camp, tents. Our talented cook will prepare 3 times meals for you every day. You’ll be provided with, mattresses, sleeping bags, and all camping equipment. In certain places, there aren’t proper bathroom amenities, so you’ll be roughing it like you’re camping outdoors. Some spots might have outhouses made of wood.
Following a delightful morning in the “Ulaan-Uul” village, your journey continues through the captivating “Darkhad” valley to reach “Tsagaan Nuur” town. Upon arrival at “Khogorog”, you’ll rendezvous with our local horse crew, marking the start of an exceptional equestrian adventure the following day.(B/L/D)
You’ll be embarking on a 6-7 hour horse trek to visit the Reindeer herder family today. Comfortable, soft saddles will be provided for the journey. You’ll need to pack only essential items for the next three days, as you can’t carry too much on the luggage horses. Two horses will be allocated for carrying foodstuff, kitchen essentials, sleeping bags, and mattresses. Once the horse guides have loaded all the luggage onto the carrier horses, you’ll begin the trek to the Taiga. You’ll ride through dense forests, swampy meadows, and cross rivers for approximately 30 km until you reach the Reindeer herders in the evening. Will have a packed lunch along the way. You’ll conclude your day by meeting the Tsaatan people, who are the local Reindeer herders. “Tsaatan” means “Reindeer Herder,” derived from “Tsaa” or “Tsaa-Buga” for Reindeer/Deer and “tan” as a suffix similar to “-er” in English (e.g., driver, cleaner). Tonight, you’ll stay in the traditional tent teepee of the Tsaatan people.(B/L/D)
You’ll spend the day with the Reindeer herder tribe. Ethnically, these individuals are Tuvans, also referred to as Dukha people. Their language, religion, and culture differ slightly from typical Mongols. They primarily speak Tuvan, but many young people have begun to use Mongolian as well. Their main religious practice is Shamanism. They use reindeer like horses and consume their milk as regular milk. You’ll not only learn about their cultures but also actively participate in them. You can try your hand at milking reindeer and ride them in the surrounding areas. For the remainder of the time, relax in the serene surroundings of the Taiga. Overnight.(B/L/D)
So, we’ll head out from “Khogorog” early in the morning and drive about 350 km off-road, which should take us 7-8 hours to reach the lakeshore. “Khuvsgul Lake”, also known as “Blue Pearl Lake”, is surrounded by forested mountains and stands as one of Mongolia’s largest lakes. We’ll arrive at the tourist camp in the evening, where there are bathroom facilities. Chill out at the tourist camp.(B/L/D)
You’ll catch a morning flight to Ulaanbaatar, flying for about an hour. Upon arrival at in the morning, we’ll head straight to the “Genghis Khan Statue”. The Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue, part of the Genghis Khan Statue Complex, stands at a towering 40 meters, making it the world’s tallest equestrian statue. Visitors can walk through the horse’s chest and neck to reach the head, offering a breathtaking panoramic view. Additionally, we’ll visit the small museum downstairs to learn about the history of the Ancient Mongol Empire.Afterward, we’ll drive to the nearby Gorkhi Terelj National Park where we explore the Turtle Rock and Ariabal Monastery. Unlike the nearby steppes, this area boasts mountains and trees, with large stands of tamaracks that turn golden in the fall. The park features a stunning alpine landscape, numerous rock formations for rock climbers, and includes a well-known landmark called Turtle Rock (Melkhii Khad) due to its turtle-like shape. Renowned as a sightseeing destination, this gigantic rock formation, sculpted solely by wind and rainwater, sits just off the main road into the park.Located on the hillside of a mountain covered with larches and granite rock, the temple offers a serene setting for visitors. On the path to the temple, you’ll cross a small wooden bridge marked with a sign that reads “the bridge that leads beyond wisdom.” The main temple is dedicated to the Kalachakra philosophy, often referred to as the “wheel of time.” Inside, you’ll find a thangka depicting the myth of Shambhala, a Kalachakra mandala, and various artifacts associated with this belief. On the ground floor of the temple, there’s a “gallery of Buddhist philosophy” featuring 220 original paintings by the artist Bayantsagaan, each representing different Buddhist beliefs and philosophies. Perched atop the hill overlooking the temple is a new Buddha sculpture carved into the rock. At the summit of the cliffs, there’s a meditation hut for those seeking solace and contemplation. When you climb up to the temple you’ll have a picturesque view of the national park from its summit.You’ll drive back to Ulaanbaatar for about 1-2 hours, depending on traffic.(L)
The adventure begins with an early domestic flight to Olgii, arriving in the morning. Our crew will be waiting for you at the local airport. You’ll head towards the ranger station of the Altai Tavan Bogd mountains, which is about a 5-6 hour drive. En route to the Altai mountains, you’ll traverse mountain ranges and rivers, surrounded by rocky landscapes. At some beautiful spot along the way, you’ll make a quick stop to set up camp for lunch. On the first day of your trip, you’ll start with a visit to the petroglyphs in the Tsagaan Salaa mountains, where you’ll discover rock carvings dating back 3,000-4,000 years. These ancient carvings depict scenes with horsemen, deer, dogs, and more, offering a fascinating glimpse into the culture of early people.Eventually, you’ll reach the valley known as the “Oigor,” home to nomadic Kazakh families for centuries. You’ll be welcomed by a local family, known for their hospitality, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in their culture and daily life. The nomadic family takes on many daily tasks, like milking cows and yaks in the evening and making dairy products. You’ll also have the chance to try your hand at some of these activities. You’ll experience the magic of Altai mountains by staying in a traditional Mongol-Kazakh Ger. These portable, round tents encapsulate the nomadic heritage of Mongolia, offering a unique and cozy experience. It’s a perfect way to immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of this remarkable region.(B,L,D)
The journey continues to explore the beautiful Altai Tavan Bogd National Park for about 2 hours. The Altai Tavan Bogd boasts five perennially snow-capped peaks, with the highest named Khuiten towering at 4374 meters above sea level. Additionally, there are three substantial glaciers, the longest one spanning an impressive 20 kilometers.The final parking for the vehicles is at a sacred site on the hill where you’ll be treated to an extraordinary view of the valley landscape, providing an ideal setting for breaks to capture photos and take rests. Furthermore, you’ll enjoy hiking for 6-7 km (roundtrip) to get closer to the peaks and glaciers. Then, you’ll return the family. Overnight in Ger.(B/L/D)
Bid farewell to the family and depart from Oigor Valley for the Twin Lakes for about 5-6 hours. As you journey towards the lakes, you notice the landscape subtly differs from the Altai mountains. You’ll explore the area with lush meadows, traverse mountains surrounded by foliage, and encounter Turkic-age human stones along the way. Upon reaching the destination, you’ll drive to the local Eagle Hunter family and be warmly greeted by the family members. Enjoy a peaceful dinner in the serene atmosphere. Overnight in a Ger. (B/L/D)
In the morning, a short drive takes you to the Baga Turgen Valley. It’s surrounded by snow-capped mountains, lush forests, rocky rivers, and green meadows. You’ll hike up to the beautiful waterfall for about 3 kilometers. The Baga Turgen Waterfall is one of the most stunning waterfalls in Mongolia, standing at 15 meters high. You’ll enjoy the nature, then will return in the cars. We will return to the family and will have more time to experience local cultures. There are many daily tasks in the nomadic lifestyle, such as women making dairy products in their unique way and men working with livestock, including golden eagles. You’ll practice everything from milking cows to making yogurt, curd, cheese, and more in the countryside. Additionally, you’ll have amazing opportunities to take photos with the golden eagle and its trainer. Playing traditional ankle bone games with local children is one of the fun things to do. Tonight, you’re going to have a local party with the locals. They’ll prepare their very traditional dish called Besbarmak, and you’ll all gather together, inviting the neighbors to have a huge meal. They’ll also have a traditional mini-concert with their traditional instrument called Dombra. Usually, our tours involve song battles between travelers and locals which could give you a great memory of Mongolia. Overnight in a GER.(B/L/D)
Bid farewell to the family, and leave twin lakes to village Sagsai for about 4-5 hours where you’ll meet the local Uriankhai family and experience their daily life. The Uriankhai is an ethnic group of Mongolians who have dwelled in the western part of Mongolia for hundreds of years. Their language is slightly different from the Khalkh Mongolian language, and their main religions are Buddhism and shamanism. They’ll make us traditional Mongolian vodka from dairies. Regarding their tradition, you’ll have a small archery competition with locals after you learn how to handle the Mongolian bow and arrow. Then, will head back to Olgii town for about an hour. Overnight in a tourist Ger camp.(B/L/D)
You’ll have an early breakfast at the tourist camp. Then, will get transferred to the airport by drivers and tour guides. We’ll bid farewell, hoping to be a part of your unforgettable vacation and bring some vibrant moments to your life.(B)
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